One embodiment is directed to a baseband controller for use with a plurality of radio points to provide wireless service to user equipment (UE) using a wireless interface. The baseband controller makes use of a hybrid virtualized architecture comprising special-purpose hardware configured to implement at least some of the LAYER-1 functions for the wireless interface and a virtual platform configured to implement some of the functions for the wireless interface. Such a baseband controller can be used in dual connectivity radio access networks.
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4. The baseband controller of claim 3, wherein the CU-CP and CU-UP can be scaled independently of each other.
The invention relates to a baseband controller for wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing and scaling the central unit control plane (CU-CP) and central unit user plane (CU-UP) functions in a disaggregated architecture. Traditional baseband controllers often lack flexibility in scaling these components independently, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and performance optimization. The baseband controller includes a processing unit configured to handle both CU-CP and CU-UP functions, which are critical for managing control signaling and user data traffic, respectively. The key innovation lies in the ability to scale the CU-CP and CU-UP independently. This means the control plane can be scaled to handle increased signaling demands without necessarily scaling the user plane, and vice versa. This independent scaling allows for more efficient resource utilization, better load balancing, and improved overall system performance. The controller may also include interfaces for connecting to radio units (RUs) and other network elements, ensuring seamless integration into existing wireless infrastructure. By enabling dynamic and independent scaling of CU-CP and CU-UP, the invention optimizes network operations, reduces costs, and enhances adaptability to varying traffic conditions.
5. The baseband controller of claim 2, wherein the DU is partitioned into a Distributed Unit-Control Plane part (DU-CP) and a Distributed Unit-User Plane part (DU-UP).
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to the architecture of a baseband controller in a distributed radio access network (RAN). The problem addressed is the need for efficient partitioning of the Distributed Unit (DU) to optimize control and user plane functions, improving scalability and resource management. The baseband controller manages radio resources and interfaces with the Centralized Unit (CU) and the Radio Unit (RU). The DU is divided into two distinct parts: the Distributed Unit-Control Plane (DU-CP) and the Distributed Unit-User Plane (DU-UP). The DU-CP handles control signaling, including radio resource management, mobility management, and scheduling decisions. The DU-UP processes user data, performing tasks such as packet forwarding, encryption, and quality of service (QoS) enforcement. This separation allows for independent scaling of control and user plane functions, reducing latency and improving overall system performance. The baseband controller dynamically allocates resources between the DU-CP and DU-UP based on network demand, ensuring efficient utilization of computing and network resources. This architecture supports flexible deployment options, including cloud-based and edge computing environments, while maintaining low-latency communication for time-sensitive applications.
6. The baseband controller of claim 5, wherein the DU-CP and DU-UP can be scaled independently of each other.
This invention relates to a baseband controller for a distributed unit (DU) in a wireless communication system, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing and scaling the control plane (DU-CP) and user plane (DU-UP) functions independently. In wireless networks, the DU is responsible for processing radio signals and managing communication between the core network and user devices. Traditional DUs often tightly couple the control and user planes, limiting flexibility in resource allocation and scalability. This invention introduces a baseband controller that decouples the DU-CP and DU-UP, allowing them to be scaled independently based on network demands. The controller dynamically allocates resources to each plane, optimizing performance and reducing overhead. For example, during high data traffic, the DU-UP can be scaled up without affecting the DU-CP, and vice versa during peak signaling loads. This independent scaling improves efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances adaptability to varying network conditions. The invention also includes mechanisms to coordinate between the planes, ensuring seamless operation despite their decoupled architecture. This approach is particularly useful in 5G and beyond networks, where diverse services with varying requirements necessitate flexible and scalable baseband processing.
8. The baseband controller of claim 5, wherein the DU-UP is implemented by the special-purpose hardware.
The invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to the implementation of a distributed unit (DU) user plane (UP) in a baseband controller. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and specialized hardware implementation of the DU-UP to optimize performance in wireless networks, particularly in scenarios requiring high-speed data processing and low latency. The baseband controller includes a DU-UP implemented using special-purpose hardware. This hardware is designed to handle user plane functions, such as data transmission and reception, with high efficiency. The special-purpose hardware may include dedicated processors, accelerators, or other components optimized for real-time processing of wireless communication signals. By implementing the DU-UP in this manner, the system achieves improved throughput, reduced latency, and better resource utilization compared to general-purpose hardware solutions. The DU-UP interacts with other components of the baseband controller, such as the distributed unit control plane (DU-CP), to manage communication functions. The special-purpose hardware ensures that user plane operations are executed with minimal delay, which is critical for applications like 5G and beyond, where low-latency communication is essential. The invention may also include additional features, such as dynamic resource allocation and adaptive processing, to further enhance performance. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where high-speed data processing is required, such as in mobile broadband, IoT, and other wireless communication applications. The use of special-purpose hardware for the DU-UP ensures that the system can handle the demanding requirements of modern wireless networks while maintaining high reliability and
9. The baseband controller of claim 5, wherein the DU-CP is implemented by the special-purpose hardware.
The invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to the implementation of a baseband controller in a distributed unit (DU) of a radio access network. The problem addressed is the efficient and specialized handling of control plane (CP) functions within the DU to improve performance and reduce latency. The baseband controller includes a distributed unit control plane (DU-CP) module that manages control signaling and resource allocation for user equipment (UE) devices. The DU-CP is implemented using special-purpose hardware, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), to accelerate processing and reduce reliance on general-purpose processors. This hardware implementation ensures low-latency execution of critical control functions, such as radio resource management, mobility management, and session management. The baseband controller also includes a distributed unit user plane (DU-UP) module, which handles data transmission and reception for UEs. The DU-UP may be implemented in software running on a general-purpose processor or in dedicated hardware, depending on performance requirements. The DU-CP and DU-UP modules communicate via a high-speed interface to coordinate control and data plane operations. By offloading control plane functions to special-purpose hardware, the invention improves the efficiency and responsiveness of the DU, particularly in high-traffic scenarios. This approach reduces processing overhead on general-purpose components and enhances overall system performance.
10. The baseband controller of claim 5, wherein the DU-CP is implemented by the virtual platform.
A baseband controller for wireless communication systems, particularly in distributed radio access networks (RAN), addresses the challenge of efficiently managing control plane (CP) functions in a disaggregated architecture. The invention involves a baseband controller that includes a distributed unit control plane (DU-CP) implemented by a virtual platform. The DU-CP handles signaling and control functions, such as radio resource management, mobility management, and session management, while interfacing with other network components like the central unit (CU) and radio units (RUs). The virtual platform, which may be a software-defined or cloud-based system, enables flexible deployment and scalability of the DU-CP functions. This implementation allows for dynamic resource allocation, reduced hardware dependencies, and improved network efficiency. The baseband controller may also include additional components, such as a physical layer processing unit for handling baseband signal processing tasks and a protocol stack for managing communication protocols. The virtualized DU-CP enhances network adaptability, supports multi-vendor interoperability, and simplifies network operations by decoupling control functions from physical hardware. This approach is particularly useful in 5G and beyond networks, where agility and scalability are critical.
11. The baseband controller of claim 1, wherein the virtual platform comprises at least one of a generic server and an accelerated server, the accelerated server comprises one or more hardware acceleration units.
The invention relates to a baseband controller for managing virtual platforms in a computing environment, particularly addressing the need for efficient resource allocation and hardware acceleration in virtualized server systems. The baseband controller is designed to interface with virtual platforms, which may include generic servers or accelerated servers. Accelerated servers are equipped with one or more hardware acceleration units, such as specialized processing units or co-processors, to enhance performance for specific tasks like encryption, compression, or data processing. The baseband controller dynamically allocates resources, including these hardware acceleration units, to optimize workload distribution across the virtual platforms. This ensures that tasks are processed efficiently, leveraging hardware acceleration where available to improve overall system performance. The system is particularly useful in data centers or cloud computing environments where virtualized servers handle diverse workloads with varying computational demands. By integrating hardware acceleration into the virtual platform architecture, the invention aims to reduce latency and improve throughput for compute-intensive operations.
13. The baseband controller of claim 12, wherein the master base station and the secondary base station both server a common radio point, the common radio point comprising a multi-carrier radio point.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to baseband controllers managing multi-carrier radio points served by multiple base stations. The problem addressed is efficiently coordinating baseband processing between a master base station and a secondary base station when both serve the same multi-carrier radio point, which may involve multiple frequency carriers or sectors. The baseband controller dynamically allocates processing tasks between the stations to optimize resource utilization, reduce latency, and improve overall system performance. The controller ensures seamless coordination of radio resource management, data scheduling, and signal processing across the shared radio point. This setup allows for flexible deployment of distributed baseband processing while maintaining synchronization and efficient use of network resources. The invention is particularly useful in heterogeneous networks where multiple base stations collaborate to serve a common coverage area with enhanced capacity and reliability. The solution enables dynamic load balancing and interference management, improving user experience in dense wireless environments.
14. The baseband controller of claim 12, wherein the core network comprises one of an evolved packet core (EPC) core network and a next generation core (NGC) core network.
This invention relates to a baseband controller for wireless communication systems, specifically addressing interoperability with different core network architectures. The baseband controller is designed to interface with either an evolved packet core (EPC) or a next generation core (NGC) network, ensuring seamless connectivity and service continuity across diverse network environments. The controller includes a processing unit configured to manage signaling and data traffic between the radio access network and the core network, adapting its operations based on the specific core network type. This adaptability allows the baseband controller to support both legacy LTE networks using EPC and newer 5G networks utilizing NGC, facilitating smooth transitions and coexistence between different network generations. The invention aims to simplify network deployment and reduce operational complexity by providing a unified interface for multiple core network configurations, enhancing flexibility and scalability in wireless communication systems.
18. The baseband controller of claim 12, wherein the master base station is configured to use a first radio access technology (RAT) to wirelessly communicate with user equipment and the secondary base station is configured to use a second RAT to wirelessly communicate with user equipment, wherein the first RAT differs from the second RAT.
This invention relates to a baseband controller for managing communication between user equipment (UE) and multiple base stations using different radio access technologies (RATs). The problem addressed is the need for efficient coordination between base stations operating on distinct RATs, such as 5G and LTE, to ensure seamless connectivity and resource optimization. The baseband controller connects to a master base station and a secondary base station, each using different RATs. The master base station communicates with UEs via a first RAT, while the secondary base station communicates with UEs via a second, distinct RAT. This setup allows the system to leverage the strengths of multiple RATs, such as higher data rates from one RAT and broader coverage from another. The controller coordinates data transmission, resource allocation, and handover procedures between the base stations to maintain reliable and efficient communication. The system may also support inter-RAT mobility, enabling UEs to switch between RATs without service interruption. This approach enhances network flexibility, capacity, and user experience by dynamically utilizing the most suitable RAT for different scenarios.
19. The baseband controller of claim 18, wherein the first RAT comprises an LTE RAT and the second RAT comprises a 5G RAT.
This invention relates to a baseband controller for managing wireless communication between a user device and a network using multiple radio access technologies (RATs). The problem addressed is the need for efficient and seamless switching between different RATs, such as LTE and 5G, to optimize performance, reliability, and resource utilization. The baseband controller includes a first interface for communicating with a first RAT, such as LTE, and a second interface for communicating with a second RAT, such as 5G. The controller also includes a processor configured to manage data transmission and reception across these RATs. The processor determines the optimal RAT for a given communication task based on factors like signal strength, network congestion, and data type. It dynamically allocates resources between the RATs to ensure efficient use of network capacity and minimize latency. The controller further includes a synchronization module to align data flows between the RATs, preventing disruptions during transitions. A power management module optimizes energy consumption by selectively activating or deactivating RAT interfaces based on usage patterns. The controller also supports dual connectivity, allowing simultaneous use of both RATs for enhanced throughput and redundancy. This invention improves wireless communication by intelligently integrating LTE and 5G networks, ensuring seamless transitions and efficient resource allocation. It is particularly useful in environments where both RATs are available, providing users with better connectivity and performance.
20. The baseband controller of claim 12, wherein the master base station is configured to use a first radio access technology (RAT) to wirelessly communicate with user equipment and the secondary base station is configured to use a second RAT to wirelessly communicate with user equipment, wherein the first RAT is the same as the second RAT.
A baseband controller manages communication between a master base station and a secondary base station, where both stations use the same radio access technology (RAT) to wirelessly communicate with user equipment. The controller coordinates data transmission and reception between the stations, ensuring seamless integration of their operations. The master base station and secondary base station operate as part of a distributed antenna system, where the secondary station extends coverage or capacity by relaying signals to and from the master station. The controller handles synchronization, data routing, and interference management to maintain reliable communication links. This setup allows for flexible network deployment, improving coverage and performance in areas with challenging propagation conditions. The system is particularly useful in scenarios requiring high-capacity or extended-range wireless connectivity while maintaining compatibility with existing RAT standards. The controller ensures efficient coordination between the stations, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing latency. This approach enhances network reliability and user experience by leveraging the same RAT across both stations, simplifying integration and reducing compatibility issues.
21. The baseband controller of claim 20, wherein the first RAT and second RAT both comprise an LTE RAT.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a baseband controller that manages multiple radio access technologies (RATs) to improve network efficiency and user experience. The problem addressed is the need for seamless integration and coordination between different RATs, particularly when both RATs are of the same type, such as LTE (Long-Term Evolution). The baseband controller includes a processor and memory storing instructions for managing communication sessions across these RATs. The controller is configured to handle dual connectivity, where a user device simultaneously connects to two LTE networks, optimizing data transmission and reducing latency. The system dynamically allocates resources between the two LTE RATs based on network conditions, load balancing, and quality of service requirements. This ensures efficient use of network resources while maintaining high-speed, reliable connectivity. The controller also supports inter-RAT handover, allowing smooth transitions between the two LTE networks without service interruption. The invention enhances network performance by leveraging the capabilities of multiple LTE RATs, improving data throughput and reducing congestion in densely populated areas. The solution is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple LTE networks are available, such as in urban environments or enterprise settings with private LTE deployments.
23. The baseband controller of claim 1, wherein a Distributed Unit (DU) is at least partially implemented using the special-purpose hardware and is communicatively coupled via an Ethernet network to a Central Unit (CU) that is implemented using the virtual platform.
This invention relates to a baseband controller architecture for wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently integrating hardware and virtualized components in a distributed radio access network (RAN). The system combines special-purpose hardware with a virtual platform to optimize performance and flexibility. The baseband controller includes a Distributed Unit (DU) that is at least partially implemented using the special-purpose hardware, enabling low-latency processing of radio signals. This DU is communicatively coupled via an Ethernet network to a Central Unit (CU) implemented on the virtual platform, allowing for centralized control and resource management. The virtualized CU handles higher-layer functions such as protocol stack management and network coordination, while the hardware-accelerated DU processes real-time radio signals. This hybrid approach improves efficiency by leveraging the strengths of both hardware and virtualization, reducing latency and enhancing scalability in wireless networks. The Ethernet connection ensures high-speed, low-latency communication between the DU and CU, supporting seamless integration in modern cloud-based RAN deployments. The invention aims to provide a cost-effective and adaptable solution for next-generation wireless infrastructure.
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March 5, 2020
December 13, 2022
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